By Bunni Pounds

*This blog is part of our weekly, virtual Bible Study through the book of Psalms. For information on how to participate, please visit this page.

From a place of battle in Psalm 20 to now a place of VICTORY in Psalm 21 – King David is celebrating and blessing God for His faithfulness to Him.

It is always a rush when we are on the mountain top – but David is honoring to God and turns his joy into worship. Humility flows from Him in this song because he understands who gave him the victory. It wasn’t his own strength and talents. It was the Lord. 

Let’s read the first part of the Psalm here. 

“The king shall have joy in Your strength, O Lord;
And in Your salvation how greatly shall he rejoice!
You have given him his heart’s desire,
And have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah (verses 1-2)

David is acknowledging that his joy in the moment of victory comes from the strength of the Lord and in His salvation. He celebrates that God hears Him, understands His desires, and answers His requests. 

He is on cloud nine. Let’s continue… because he gives God credit for EVERYTHING.  

For You meet him with the blessings of goodness;
You set a crown of pure gold upon his head.
He asked life from You, and You gave it to him—
Length of days forever and ever.
His glory is great in Your salvation;
Honor and majesty You have placed upon him.
For You have made him most blessed forever;
You have made him exceedingly glad with Your presence. (verses 3-6)

Goodness, a crown of gold, eternal life, glory, honor, and majesty – the list goes on and on of the many blessings that God has given the King – but the King knows where his gladness and all these blessings come from – God’s PRESENCE. 

Let me be blunt - We are everything BUT a presence focused Body of Christ in America. 

We love our programs, our clocks, and our rituals – 20 minutes of worship, offering, and then the message. 

How many times as ministry leaders - do we seek and flow with His presence? 

How often do we hinder His presence in a service or a situation because we are in a hurry? 

David knew all of His honor and majesty only came from one place – God’s presence in his life. Without that he would be nothing. He lingered, he prioritized the sanctuary, and he learned to wait on God.

I am amazed at leaders who humble themselves and acknowledge that their sphere of influence only has come because God has put them there. People like that move me to be a better leader. They are a stark contrast to ones who rely on themselves. 

This week I marveled as a Member of Congress sat and listened to a World War II veteran for a long time – clinging to every word, intent to hear that man’s heart. He then finished his week praying with a pastor on the floor of his church – humbly asking God to use him to touch a group of people. 

Humility – something that we think we understand – until we see a living demonstration such as a man or woman of great authority taking the low road and humbling themselves. It is moving.  

David was that kind of king when he was writing this Psalm. 

For the king trusts in the Lord,
And through the mercy of the Most High he shall not be moved.” (verse 7)

Human nature is fickle. We should know ourselves and our weaknesses, but we don’t. 

This king knew if he trusted in the Lord, he would not be moved. 

If he trusted in himself to get it all right – it probably wouldn’t get right at all. 

If we trust in our human wisdom and intellect as leaders - we will fall. We will make a mistake, and everyone will know it. 

Trusting in God for wisdom is another thing – it means humbling ourselves to slow down and listen to the truth in His Word, godly counsel, and His still small voice. We can’t just rush ahead. We have to slow down. We have to trust in HIS MERCY. 

When we see a leader make a bad decision that reveals their weakness, we need to turn our burden for them into overtime prayer. They need God to touch the way they see themselves – because at the end of the day – there is something in them that thinks they can make decisions without knowing God or seeking His wisdom. THAT is dangerous.  

Many years ago - after seven years in politics – I found myself in a Romanian prayer room. I say – “I found myself” because I literally rediscovered who I really was as I watched 18,19, and 20-year olds cry out to God in a way that I remembered myself doing when I was their age.  

These students were raw with passion and NEED for God. 

I, on the other hand, was self-sufficient, talented, and important because I worked for a Member of Congress. I didn’t need God like they did. 

That was the moment I knew I was deceived. 

Of course, I needed God like them! I was just out of touch with my own need for Him until I heard their cries of desperation. 

I was changed that day. I remembered myself as an 18-year-old student – crying out to God with a whole bunch of Africans in a prayer room as a young Bible School student. I had forgotten who I was. I had forgotten my NEED for Him. 

If I hadn’t had a revival in prayer and walking with God – I don’t believe I would have had the strength to run a 32-client political firm or run for Congress years later. I would have thrown up my hands at the first sign of suffering, hardship, and persecution. 

Jesus shows us the ultimate example with his disciples. 

“But they kept silent, for on the road they had disputed among themselves who would be the greatest. 

And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.” Then He took a little child and set him in the midst of them.” – Mark 9:34-36a

As we think about King David during this moment of victory and Jesus as He taught His disciples what true servant leadership looks like – I love to remember this scripture.  

“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.” - James 4:10

And we will sign off with the final verse of Psalm 21:13 which is a promise that we all need – “Be exalted, O Lord, in Your own strength! We will sing and praise Your power.” 

It cannot be understated – the power of this heart posture before the Lord – resting in HIS strength and singing about HIS power.  

I want to be the kind of leader that knows my need and humbles myself before God for all HIS wisdom. 

In that revelation of our need is where we become exceedingly joyful in His presence.  

Join us Monday mornings for our WEEKLY BIBLE STUDY

Watch the video or listen to the audio of our Psalm 21 study HERE

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